Electron reactance device



Feb. 14, 1956 E, D. M ARTHUR ELECTRON REACTANCE DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1950 wm rw W W P s n W Feb. 14, 1956 E, D. MOARTHUR 2,735,074

ELECTRON REACTANCE DEVICE Filed Jan. 13. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor; Elmer" D .M Arthur;

His Attorney.

Feb. 14, 1956 E. D. MCARTHUR ELECTRON REACTANCE DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1950 Dru/frag Potential Sour'c e Driving Potential Source Inventor. Elmer- D. McArthur,

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Feb. 14, 1956 D. MOARTHUR ELECTRON REACTANCE DEVICE 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 13, 1950 Inventor. Elmer D. McArthun- 10 W4.

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United States Patent ELECTRON REACTANCE DEVICE Elmer D. McArthur, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 13, 1950, Serial No. 138,485

13 Claims. (Cl. 333--8il) My invention relates to electron devices and, more particularly, to electron devices suitable for producing a relatively large reactive current. While my invention is of general utility, it is particularly suitable for use at ultra high frequencies wherein a controllable reactive current of relatively large value is required.

In many instances, it is necessary to provide a relatively large reactive current which may be varied over relatively wide limits. Such requirements are found, for example, in ultra high frequency systems requiring impedance matching and transmission networks wherein it is necessary to provide a reactive element, or elements, which must be varied to meet certain circuit require ments. Thus, for examlpe, certain reactive elements in ultra high frequency antenna matching networks must be varied in synchronism with the rotation of the antenna to adjust the changes in the antenna impedance with rotation. With spinner type antennas, rotation may be at a relatively high rate thus necessitating a reactive element the magnitude of which can be varied at a correspondingly rapid rate.

paths of decreasing radii toward the center of the structure. In accordance with my invention and in contradistinction to the so-called synchronous operation of the conventional cyclotron, the transverse magnetic field is chosen with such a value that certain of the electrons become a predetermined number of electrical degrees out of phase with respect to the driving potential for each half revolution thereof. Thus, the electrons become increasingly out of phase with respect to the driving potential as they traverse curved paths of decreasing radii. The amplitude of the :driving potential and the spacing of a suitable collecting electrode positioned at the center of the structure is such that those electrons which have lost 180 degrees in electrical phase are collected by the central collector. Inasmuch as each passage of electrons across the gap between the electrodes induces a current claims.

Also, in many instances, it is desirable to provide a reactive element, or simulated reactive element having an extremely low power factor. Such elements, when utilized in various transmission networks have a very low insertion loss and enable one to provide a wave transmission network of relatively high efiiciency.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a new and improved electronic device which is suitable to produce a relatively large reactive current which may be varied in magnitude over relatively wide limits.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved electronic device which is particularly suitable for operation at ultra high frequencies and which is satisfactory to provide a relatively large, controllable, reactive current.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a new and improved electronic device which is suitable to produce a relatively large reactive current and wherein the magnitude of the reactive current may be controlled without substantially affecting the phase angle thereof.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a new and improved electronic device suitable for use at ultra high frequencies and adapted to be energized by a suitable driving source wherein a simulated reactance of extremely low power factor is obtained.

Briefly, in accordance with one phase of my invention, I utilize a principle similar in some respects to the cyclotron, or magnetic resonance accelerator, wherein charged particles are made to traverse curved paths within an orbital space defined by the opposed electrodes of the cyclotron. However, the charged particles, e. g. electrons, are injected tangentially into the orbital space at the periphery thereof, certain of these electrons arrivingat the gap between the electrodes at the proper time to be decelerated by a suitable source of driving potential applied between the electrodes so as to traverse curved in the driving potential source having a phase angle substantially equal to the phase angle of that particular electron, the summation of induced currents produces a net current having exactly degrees phase relationship with respect to the driving potential. By varying the strength of the injected beam of electrons, the magnitude of the reactive current thus produced may be readily controlled.

The features of my invention which I believe to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figs. 1 and 2 are front and side elevational views respectively, of an electron reactance device employing the principles of my invention; Fig. 3 illustrates a controllable particle source suitable for use in the device of Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the operation of device of Fig. 1; Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of my invention; and Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of my invention.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is therein illustrated in somewhat schematic form an electron reactance device constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. In order to produce a stream of charged particles traversing curved paths within an orbital space, there is provided a pair of hollow, semicylin'drical electrodes 1 and 2, commonly called dees because of their configuration, which are positioned with their open ends adjacent to each other so that the boundaries thereof define an interaction gap 3 therebetween. A source of charged particles, e. g. electrons, indicated schematically at 4, is positioned within one of the electrodes and provides a suitable stream of particles which is injected tangentially into' the orbital space defined by the electrodes 1, 2 substantially at the periphery thereof. In order that the electrons, or other charged particles, may travel unimpeded within the orbital space, the electrodes 1, 2 are enclosed in an evacuated chamber the side wall of which is illustrated by the glass envelope 5. To control the magnitude of the stream of electrons issuing from the source 4, there is provided an electrode indicated schematically at 6, which is operated at a potential somewhat less than the source 4, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

In order that the electrons released at the periphery of the orbital space may traverse curved paths therein, there is provided a uniform magnetic field of substantial strength, indicated by the dotted line 7, the direction of the magnetic field being perpendicular to the plane of the paper so as to cause the electrons to traverse the desired path- In this connection it will be remembered that when an electron moving with a velocity v enters a This force is at all times perpendicular both to the magwhere H is the strength of magnetic field, e/m is the ratio of charge to mass of the particle, v is the initial or injection velocity, and R is the radius of the circle de- Hev= (l) scribed. From Equation 1 we have:

From Equation 2 it is evident that if the electrons are given an initial velocity v, by means to be described in more detail hereinafter, a particular value of magnetic field H will cause the electrons emitted from source 4 to traverse a circular path just within the periphery of the orbital space defined by the dees.

If, now, a source of alternating potential 8 is connected across the electrodes 1, 2, there exists across the gap 3 a potential drop which tends to accelerate those electrons which pass across the gap during the positive half cycle of the driving potential and to decelerate those electrons which cross the gap during the negative half cycle. Thus, certain electrons are given. a higher velocity by acceleration across the gap so that they describe curved paths of increasing radii and eventually strike the electrodes 1, 2 and are collected thereby. Other electrons, which are decelerated across the gap, are reduced in velocity and so traverse curved paths of decreasing radii towards the center of the orbital space as illustrated by the dotted line 10 in Fig. l. A suitable collecting electrode 9 is positioned centrally of the orbital space so as to collect the inwardly spiralling electrons.

If the strength of the magnetic field is of a particular value such that the time required for the electron to describe one semicircle is equal to one-half cycle of the alternating driving potential, certain of the electrons will rotate in curved paths of decreasing radii and will arrive at the gap with exactly the same electrical phase position with respect to the driving potential for each revolution. The necessary value of the magnetic field for such operation may be found by utilizing the equation for the time required for the particle to describe a semicircle and come back to the gap, that is,

where t is the desired time, R the radius of the are described and v the velocity with which the particle enters the dee. In this connection it will be understood that once the particles have entered the dee they are no longer accelerated by the driving potential. Substitution of Equation 2 in Equation 3 gives,

1rm i It is evident from Equation 4 that the time required for the particle to travel one-half revolution is independent of the velocity of the particle entering the electrode and is dependent only on the value of the magnetic field. The operation of the magnetic field with a value such that the time required to describe a semicircle corresponds to one-half cycle of the driving potential has been called a synchronous type of operation because the rotation of particles due to the magnetic field is exactly in synchronism with thedriving potential. Such synchronous operation is utilized in a conventional cyclotron wherein a source of particles is positioned in the center of the I orbital space and the particles spiral outwardly and gain energy equal to twice the driving potential for each complete spiral.

In contradistinction to the conventional cyclotron wherein large energy changes are produced in the electron orbit, I provide, in accordance with my invention, a magnetic field of proper strength to produce large phase changes in the electron orbit. Further, these phase changes in the electron orbit are utilized in a manner to provide a relatively large, controllable, reactive current which is degrees out of phase with the driving potential. The flow of such current through the driving potential source injects a simulated reactance thereinto which may be used in many situations familiar to those skilled in the art, wherein a reactive element is required.

To obtain the desired reactive current, the magnetic field of the device of Fig. l, which alone controls the angular velocity of the particles, is chosen with a value somewhat less than that required for synchronous" operation, so that the decelerated electrons experience a departure in phase of a predetermined number of electrical degrees with respect to the driving potential for each passage across the gap between the electrodes.

With each passage across the gap the electrons induce currents in the driving soure which is connected across the gap due to the so-called image charge effect. This effect may be most readily understood by visualizing an image charge, of opposite polarity, which flows along the conductive path offered by the source of driving potential as an electron crosses the gap between the electrodes. Each electron is thus said to induce a current in the driving potential source having an electrical phase corresponding to the phase of that particular electron. if the electrons depart a predetermined number of electrical degrees for each half revolution thereof, the currents induced in the source of driving potential become progressively more and more out of phase with the driving potential as the electrons spiral inwardly to the central collector. The vector sum of these induced currents is equal to a current 90 degrees out of phase with the driving potential provided the electrons lose no more than degrees in phase before they are collected by the collector electrode.

In order to collect those electrons which have become 180 degrees out of phase with the driving potential by successive passages across the gap, the amplitude of the driving potential and the positioning of the collector within the orbital space are chosen to cause these electrons to strike the collector electrode. In this connection, it is evident that the amplitude of the driving potential determines the amount the electrons are decelerated by passage across the gap and hence determines the velocity with which they enter the dees. Fron Equation 2 it is seen that the amplitude of the driving potential thus determines the radius of the path described within the dees. The collector electrode is preferably of sufficient diameter relative to the dimensions of the orbital space to collect those electrons which have become out of phase by the required amount.

In order to visualize more clearly the above described operation during successive cycles of the driving potential, there is illustrated in Fig. 4 a timing diagram showing the relative positioning of the driving voltage and the induced currents produced by passage of electrons across the gaps during successive cycles of the driving potential. Thus, referring to Fig. 4, the driving potential is illustrated by the sinusoidal wave form 40. It is assumed that currents are induced in the external circuit of the driving source as a result of the passage of certain electrons across the gap during the negative half cycle of the driving potential,

the group phase of these electrons being indicated by the current i1. The strength of the magnetic field is such that these electrons become a predetermined number of degrees out of phase with the driving potential during their first half revolution. Upon the next passage of these electrons across the gap, at current i2 is induced in the external'circuit. The induced current-iz'diifersin phase'-from-the'driving potential by a predetermined number of electrical degrees illustrated by the value x in the drawing. The electrons under discussion again lose x degrees of electrical phase during the next half revolution thereof so as to induce a current is in the external circuit which differs in phase from the driving potential by an amount 2x. Upon further passage of these electrons across the gap, successive currents i447 are induced in the external circuit, these currents being progressively more outof phase with respect to the driving potential. It is seen that the induced current i7 is 189 degrees out of phase with the driving potential. In this connection it will be understood that certain of the electrons which make up the group of electrons represented as inducing currents i1i'z may move into the positive half cycle of the driving potential and so be accelerated and spiral outwardly. However, these later accelerated electrons will still induce currents of the proper phase displacement as they cross the interaction gap until they strike the walls of the dees.

If the induced currents i1-i7 are added vectorially they produce an aggregate or total current which is 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the driving potential. This is readily apparent from an analysis of Fig. wherein such vectorial addition is made. Referring to Fig. 5, the components of induced current i1-i7 have been drawn in the form of a vector diagram, the current i1 being in phase with the driving potential E and the current i'z being 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the driving potential. It is evident that the vector sum of currents ir-ir is equal to a total current I which is 90 degrees out of phase with the driving potential. Thus, if the electrons which have acquired l80 degrees electrical phase displacement are collected by the collector electrode 9, a simulated reactive current I is produced in the driving potential source.

It will be understood that the situation illustrated by Fig; 5 is based on the assumption of equal induced currents for each passage across the gap. In the event that the induced currents are not all of the same magnitude, due to acceleration of the electrons moving with the positive half cycle of the driving potential as mentioned heretofore, or to other reductions in the number of electrons crossing the gap at a particular instant, the amplitude of the driving potential or the spacing of the collector electrode may be adjusted so as to collect electrons after a predetermined number of electrical degrees of phase change such that the vector sum of the currents induced in the driving source is equal to the desired reactive current.

It is an important feature of my invention to provide a controllable reactive current which is equivalent to that of a truly pure reactance. In the conventional reacta-nce tube arrangement there is generally a resistive or in-phase component of current drawn by the tube which is equivalent to a capacitor of relatively poor power'factor. However, with the device of Fig. 1 there is provided a pure reactive current having no resistive, or in-phase component which would tend to draw energy from the system and load down the source of driving potential.

Referring now to Fig. 2, wherein certain of the structural details of and electrical connections to the device of Fig. 1 are illustrated in more detail, the electrode structure 1, 2 is shown as enclosed in an evacuated space which may be defined by metallic end plates 15, 16 which are sealed to the cylindrical glass envelope 5. The electrode, 1 is supported from the end plate 16 by means of a conductive support member 17 which is brought out through the plate 16 by means of a suitable insulating spacer 18. In order to support the electrode 2 and position the source of charged particles therein, there is provided a tubular conductive member 19 which Opens into the electrode 2 and is brought through the end plate 16 by means. of insulating spacer 20. The connecting wires 21 for the source 4 of charged particles are brought out through the center-of the tubular member 19 and may 'be' supported by suitable insulating spacers 22, 23 which spacers also act as a vacuum seal for the enclosed space. The source of driving potential 8 which may comprise any suitable alternating current source into which it is' desired to inject a reactive component of current, is illustrated as connected to the electrodes 1, 2 through a transformer 24, the secondary of transformer "24 having a center tap which is connected to the positive terminal of a source of unidirectional potential 26. The outer ends of secondary 25 are connected to the conductive electrode-supporting members 17, 19 so as to supply driving potential across the gap 3 between the electrodes 1, 2. The collector electrode 9 is supported by the metallic end plate 16 which is in turn connectedto the center tap of secondary 25 so that the collector electrode 9 is at the same D.-C. potential as electrodes 1, 2. Due to the fact that the source of electrons 4 is connected to ground potential and the electrodes 1, 2 are connected to the positive terminal of source 2'6'through the secondary 25, the electrons emitted by source 4 are accelerated in accordance with the potential ofsource 26 so as to acquire an initial, or injection velocity when first arriving at the gap 3.

While any suitable controllable source of electrons 4, 6 may be utilized I prefer to employ an assembly such as illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein a substantially flat, controllable beam of electrons is produced. Referring to Fig. 3 the source of electrons is illustrated as comprising an electron emitting, semi-cylindrical cathode 30 which is connected to ground potential. A suitable heater element 31 is positioned within the cathode 30 and is energized from a source of alternating potential 32 through transformer 33. A semi-cylindrical shield 34 is positioned adjacent the curved surface of cathode 30 and is connected to the negative terminal of a unidirectional source of potential 35. Operation of shield 34 at the negative potential of source 35 substantially prevents emission from the curved portion of cathode 31) so that a substantially fiat ribbon of electrons is obtained. A control electrode 3'6, which may comprise widely spaced wires wound between supports 37, is connected to the arm 38 of a potentiometer 39. Potentiometer 39 is connected across source 35 so as to provide a variable negative potential for the control electrode 36. It will be understood that the connecting wires for the cathode 30, heater 31, shield 34, and control electrode 36 may all be brought out as the central cable 21 in the hollow support member 19, the cable 21 being illustrated in Fig. 2 as being connected to ground for purposes of simplification in connection with the description thereof.

In the event that it is desired to provide a reactive current from a source of driving potential of high frequency, I prefer to employ a multisector device wherein the opposed D-shaped electrodes 1, 2 of Fig. 1 are replaced by segmental shaped electrodes of generally sim ilar configuration. Referring to Fig. 6 wherein such a structure is illustrated, the electrodes 1, 2 of Fig. 2 are replaced by a plurality of segmental, hollow electrodes 41-46 the open sides of which are positioned adjacent one another so as to define interaction gaps 47 therebetween. The electrodes 4146 are enclosed in a suitable evacuated space defined by the envelope 48, and a transverse magnetic field, indicated by the dotted line 49 is provided in a manner similar to that of Fig. 1. A suitable source "of electrons 50 is indicated as positioned within the uppermost electrode 41. Alternate ones of the electrodes 41-46 are connected together, in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter, and a suitable source of driving potential is applied between the two sets of electrodes. A suitable collecting electrode 51 is positioned centrally of the inner periphery of the segmental electrodes 41-46.

To interconnect alternate ones of the segmental electrodes 41-46 and to couple a high frequency source of driving potential to alternate electrodes, I prefer to position the electrodes in a space resonant cavity such as illustrated in the side elevational view of Fig. 7. Referring to Fig. 7 alternate ones of the electrodes 41-46 are connected to conductive end plates 52, 53. Thus electrode 41 is connected to end plate 53, electrode 42 is connected to end plate 52, electrode 43 is connected to end plate 53, and electrode 44 is connected to end plate 52. To couple high frequency driving potential to end plates 52, 53, these plates are positioned within a space resonant cavity defined by a cylindrical inner conductor 54 which makes electrical contact with end plate 52 in any suitable manner. For example, the conductor 54 may terminate in a plurality of spring contact fingers 55, which form a suitable high frequency connection to the end plate 52, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The outer boundary of the cavity is defined by an outer hollow conductor 56 which contacts the end plate 53 in any suitable manner. For example, conductor 56 may also be provided with a plurality of spring contact fingers which make proper contact with end plate 53. The high frequency source of driving potential is coupled through a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor 57 and an outer conductor 58 which is connected through the side wall 56 of the space resonant cavity, the inner conductor 57 terminating in a coupling loop 59 which is grounded on the interior surface of the conductor 56. A short-circuiting piston 60 is positioned between the inner and outer conductors 54, 56 and is movable longitudinally of these conductors. By positioning the piston 60 relative to the other dimensions of the space resonant cavity, the cavity may be tuned to the frequency of the driving potential so as to produce across the end plates 52, 53 a substantial high frequency driving potential. In this connection, it will be understood that the end plates 52, 53 are positioned with respect to the remaining dimensions of the space resonant cavity so as to provide the optimum voltage across the segmental electrodes of the reactance producing device. A source of electrons 62 which may comprise any suitable cathode and control electrode assembly, such as that illustrated in Fig. 3, is shown as positioned within the segmental electrode 41, the lead wires 63 for the electron source being brought out through the conductive end plate 53 by means of a suitable spacer 64. While electrical connection to the electron source may be made in any convenient manner, I prefer to operate the entire electrode structure comprising the inner and outer conductors 54, 56, the end plates 52, 53 and the segmental electrodes i l- 36 all at ground potential and to operate the electron source at a negative potential with respect to the above mentioned assembly. By such an arrangement, the component parts of the space resonant cavity are operated at ground potential for unidirectional current although it will be understood that the end plates 52, 53 are not connected together at the high frequency of the driving potential.

In order to produce the above described operating conditions there is provided a source of unidirectional potential indicated by the battery 65, a positive terminal of which is connected to ground potential. A potentiometer 66 is connected across the source 65 and the cathode of the electron source 62 is illustrated as connected through the lead wire 67 to a tap on the potentiometer 66. The control electrode is illustrated as connected through a lead wire 68 to a variable tap 69 on the potentiometer which tap is positioned at a more negative point on potentiometer 66 so as to operate the control electrode at a negative potential with respect to the cathode. 1t will be understood that the transverse magnetic field may be provided within the evacuated space surrounding the segmental electrodes 41-46 by any suitable magnetic structure. For example, the pole pieces of the magnet which have been indicated in outlined form at 70 and 71 may be so constructed as to be positioned relatively close to the conductive end plates 52, 53 it being evident that the pole piece is of proper dimension to fit within the inner conductor 54 of the space resonant cavity.

In operation, the value of the magnetic field produced within the orbital space defined by the electrodes 41-46 is made such that the electrons lose a predetermined number of electrical degrees of phase for each passage across the gaps 47, between the segmental electrodes 41-46. Due to the fact that the distance traveled by the electrons between the interaction gaps is substantially reduced over that of Figs. 1 and 2, a driving potential of considerably higher frequency may be connected across alternate ones of the electrodes and a suitable reactive current induced in the driving source in themanner described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The amplitude of the driving potential which is produced across the end plates 52 and 53 and the diameter and positioning of the central electrode 51 are again made such that those electrons which acquire the requisite amount of phase displacement are collected by the central electrode 51.

In the event that a reactive current of extremely high frequencies is to be produced, I provide an electron reactance device in which internal resonant circuits are utilized to provide the necessary out-of-phase current. Thus, referring to Fig. 8, wherein such an arrangement is shown, there is provided a conductive base member having a plurality of cylindrical openings 76 extending therethrough. Slots 77 connect the ring of cylindrical apertures 76 with a centrally located cylindrical opening 78, within which is positioned a cylindrical collecting electrode 79. The portions of the base member between the slots 77 and intermediate the lengths thereof is hollowed out to provide a suitable orbital space 80, as is well illustrated in Fig. 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the base member 75 are enclosed by suitable end plates 81, 82 and a source of electrons 83 is positioned within the space substantially at the periphery thereof. The space 80 is evacuated so as to allow free travel of the electrons and a suitable magnetic field indicated by the dotted line 84 is positioned perpendicular to the plane of the paper so as to produce curvature of the electrons in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to produce a potential across the interaction slots 77, there is provided a coaxial cable 85 which is connected to a source of driving potential 88 and which extends through the side wall of base member 75 into the opening 86, the coaxial cable terminating therein in a loop element 87. The evacuated space 80 may be sealed by a suitable insulating spacer 89 positioned within the coaxial cable 85. The base member may be connected to ground potential and the source 83 connected to a negative potential in a manner similar to that of Fig. 7, so as to provide the injected electrons with the proper initial velocity.

In considering the operation of the device of Figs. 8 and 9, it is evident that the device utilizes internal resonant circuits, comprising the cavities 76 and adjacent slots 77, which are similar in some respects to the cavities of the conventional magnetron. However, in accordance with the present invention, an orbital space 80 is defined within the region between the slots 77 and electrons are made to spiral inwardly to the collector electrode, these electrodes losing a predetermined number of degrees of phase for each passage across the slots so as to induce in the driving potential source a total current of the desired phase angle. It will be understood that the resonant circuits '76. 77 are linked both by the magnetic field threading through the cavities 76 and by the electric fields associated with the slots 77 in the manner of the conventional magnetron. By such an arrangement the resonant circuits are excited in alternate phase so as to provide the requisite voltage across the interaction slots 77. In this connection, it will be understood that the frequency of the driving source 88 is properly related to the resonant frequencyof the internal circuits of the device so as to cause proper excitation thereof. Also, while I have indicated the device of Figs. 8 and 9 as employing an even number of resonant cavities, it 'will be understood that various odd numbers of cavities may be utilized, depending upon the .mode in which the device is operated, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the invention has been described by reference to particular embodiments thereof, .it will be understood that numerous modifications may be made by 'those skilled in the art without departing'from the invention. I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electron reactance device comprising, a pair of hollow electrodes arranged within an evacuated space and substantially enclosing an orbital space, said electrodes having adjacently disposed open ends defining a gap therebetween, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at theperiphery thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, a source of alternating driving potential connected between said electrodes to cause said electrons to traverse curved paths of decreasing radii Within said orbital space, said magnetic field having a value to cause said electrons to be displaced in phase from said driving potential 'by a predetermined amount for each passage across said .gap, and means positioned centrally of said orbital space for collecting, those electrons which induce currents in said source which are more than 180 degrees out of phase with said driving potential.

2. An electron reactance device comprising a pair of opposed, hollow, semi-cylindrical electrodes disposed within an evacuated space and substantially enclosing an orbital space, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, a source of alternating driving potential connected between said electrodes to cause said electrons to traverse curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having a value to cause said electrons to be displaced in phase from said driving potential by a predetermined amount for each passage across said ,gap and the periodicity of said driving potential differing from the time required for said particles to travel one half revolution within said orbital space whereby said electrons induce currents in said driving source which are progressively further displaced in phase from said driving potential with each half revolution of said electrons, and collecting means positioned centrally of said orbital space for collecting those electrons which induce currents in said source which are more than 180 degrees out of phase with said driving potential.

3. An electron reactance device comprising a pair of opposed, hollow, semi-cylindrical electrodes disposed in an evacuated space and defining an orbital space therebetween, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, a source of alternating driving potential connected between said electrodes to cause said injected electrons to traverse curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having value to produce increasing phase displacement between said driving potential and currents inducedin said source by electrons traversing said radially decreasing paths, and means positioned centrally of said orbital space for collecting those electrons which traverse a curved path of predetermined minimum radius, the total current induced anemone in .said source having substantially degree phase rela tion with respect to said driving potential.

4. An electron reactance device comprising a pair of spaced apart electrodes displaced in an evacuated space and having opposed semi-cylindrical openings therein defining an orbital space therebetween, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space, substantially at the periphery thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, a source of alternating driving potential connected between said electrodes to cause said injected electrons to traverse curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having value to cause said electrons to induce currents in said source of increasing phase displacement with respect to said driving potention by successive passage of said electrons between said electrodes, and collecting means positioned centrally of said orbital space to collect these electrons which induce displacement currents in said source of substantially opposite phase from said driving potential.

5. An electron reactance device comprising a pair of spaced-apart electrodes displaced in an evacuated space and having opposed semi-cylindrical openings therein defining an orbital space therebetween, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space sub stantially at the periphery thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, a source of alternating driving potential connected between said electrodes to cause said electrons to traverse curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having a value to produce increasing phase displacement between said driving potential and currents induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes as said electrons traverse said radially decreasing paths, and means positioned centrally of said orbital space, to collect those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement, the total current induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes having substantially 90 degree phase relation with respect to said driving potential.

6. An electron reactance device comprising a pair of spaced-apart electrodes displaced in an evacuated space and having opposed semi-cylindrical openings therein defining an orbital space therebetween, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, a source of alternating driving potential connected between said electrodes to cause said electrons to traverse curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having value to produce increasing phase displacement between said driving potential and currents induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes as said electrons traverse said radially decreasing paths, and means positioned centrally of said orbital space to collect those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement, the total current induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes having substantially 90 degree phase relation with respect to said driving potential, and means for varying the number of electrons injected into said orbital space thereby to vary the magnitude of said total induced current.

7. An electron reactance device comprising, an electrode structure disposed in an evacuated space and arranged substantially to enclose a cylindrical orbital space said electrode structure having at least one interaction gap defined by a boundary thereof, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field Within said orbital space, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source of alternating driving potential connected to said electrode structure establishing an electric field across said at least one interaction gap to cause said electrons to be decelerated in curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having a value to produce increasing phase displacement between said driving potential and currents induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes as said electrons traverse said radially decreasing paths, and means for collecting those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum. phase displacement, the total current induced in said source by passage of said electrons across said at least one interaction gap having substantially 90 degree phase relation with respect to said driving potential.

8. An electron reactance device comprising, a plurality of spaced, hollow electrodes disposed in an evacuated space and arranged substantially to enclose :1 cylindrical orbital space, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source of alternating driving potential connected between adjacent ones of said electrodes to cause said electrons to be decelerated in curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having value to produce increasing phase displacement between said driving potential and currents induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes as said electrons traverse said radially decreasing paths, means for collecting those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement, the total current induced in said source by passage of said electrons between said electrodes having substantially 90 degree phase relation with respect to said driving potential, and means for varying the number of electrons injected into said orbital space thereby to vary the magnitude of said total induced current without affecting the phase angle thereof.

9. An electron reactance device comprising an even plurality of spaced, hollow electrodes disposed in an evacuated space and arranged substantially to enclose an orbital space, means for producing a magnetic field within said space, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source alternating driving potential connected between adjacent ones of said electrodes to cause said electrons to rotate in inwardly spiralling paths within said orbital space, the rotation of said electrons being out of syuchronism with said driving potential so as to cause said electrons to induce currents in said source which are increasing out of phase with said driving potential as said electrons spiral inwardly, means positioned centrally of said orbital space for collecting those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement whereby the total of said induced currents is substantially 90 degrees out of phase with said driving potential.

10. An electron reactance device comprising an even plurality of spaced, hollow electrodes disposed in an evacuated space and arranged substantially to enclose an orbital space, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source of high frequency potential, means including a space resonant cavity tuned to said high frequency and coupled to said source for supplying potential from said source between adjacent ones of said electrodes to cause said electrons to be decclerated in curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having value to produce increasing phase displacement between said potential and currents induced in said source by passage of electrons between said electrodes as said electrons traverse said radially decreasing paths, and means for collecting those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement, the total current induced in said '12 source having substantially degree phase relation with respect to said potential.

11. An electron reactance device comprising an even plurality of spaced, hollow electrodes disposed in an evacuated space and arranged substantially to enclose an orbital space, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source of high frequency potential, means including a space resonant cavity tuned to said high frequency and coupled to said source for supplying potential from said source between adjacent ones of said electrodes to cause said electrons to be decelerated in curved paths of decreasing radii within said orbital space, said magnetic field having value to produce increasing phase displacement between said potential and currents induced in said source by passage of electrons between said electrodes as said electrons traverse said radially decreasing paths, means for collecting those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement, the total current induced in said source having substantially 90 degree phase relation with respect to said potential, and means for varying the number of electrons injected into said orbital space to vary the magnitude of said total induced current without affecting the phase angle thereof.

12. An electron reactance device comprising, an evacuated cylindrical chamber defining an orbital space therein and having a central aperture extending therethrough, a plurality of resonant cavities equiangularly spaced about the periphery of said chamber and opening thereinto, said chamber having slots in the top and bottom walls thereof connecting said cavities with said central aperture and defining interaction gaps, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source of ultra high frequency driving potential, means for coupling said source to one of said cavities to establish ultra high frequency electric fields across said interaction gaps, means for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within said orbital space, said magnetic field being of sufiicient strength to cause said injected electrons to lose a predetermined number of degrees of phase with respect to said driving potential for each passage across said slots, and means positioned within said central aperture for collecting those electrons which have acquired degree phase displacement thereby to provide an induced current in said source substantially ninety degrees out of phase with said driving potential.

13. An electron reactance device comprising an evacuated conductive chamber defining an orbital space therein and having a central aperture through the top and bottom wall thereof, an even number of cylindrical cavities extending through said chamber, said cavities being equiangularly spaced about the inner periphery of said chamber and opening thereinto, said chamber having slots in the top and bottom Walls thereof connecting said cavities with said central aperture and defining interaction gaps, means for injecting electrons tangentially into said orbital space substantially at the periphery thereof, a source of ultra high frequency driving potential, means for coupling said source to one of said cavities to establish ultra high frequency electric fields across said interaction gaps, means for producing a magnetic field within said orbital space, said magnetic field being of sufiicicnt strength to cause certain of said injected electrons to be displaced in phase from said driving potential by a predetermined amount for each passage thereof across said slots, and means positioned within said central aperture for collecting those electrons which acquire a predetermined maximum phase displacement, the total current induced in said source by passage of electrons across said slots having substantially 90 degree phase relation with respect to said driving potential.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lawrence Feb. 20, 1934 Malter et al. Oct. 26, 1937 5 Fritz May 16, 1939 14 Hollmann May 20, 1941 Smith July 7, 1942 Clavier et a1 July 14, 1942 Rosenthal Nov. 16, 1948 Pajes et a1. Nov. 7, 1950 Bailey July 10, 1951 

